đầu lòng

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "đầu lòng" means "elder" or "eldest" when referring to children in a family. It is used to identify the firstborn child among siblings.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "đầu lòng" to talk about the oldest child in a family. It is often used in contexts where you want to highlight the position of the firstborn child.

Example Sentences:

1. Ông ta có hai con, đứa đầu lòng là con gái.
   (He has two children, the elder of whom is a girl.)

2. Gia đình có ba con trai, đứa đầu lòng lên mười.
   (There are three boys in that family, the eldest of whom is ten.)

Advanced Usage:

In more formal or literary contexts, "đầu lòng" can be used to express pride or significance associated with being the firstborn, as the first child often carries certain familial expectations or responsibilities.

Word Variants:

• "đầu tiên" (first) - This is a more general term for "first" and can be used in various contexts, not just in relation to children.
• "con cả" - This term also refers to the eldest child, but it is used more commonly in everyday conversation.

Different Meanings:

While "đầu lòng" primarily refers to the eldest child, in some contexts, it can also imply a sense of leadership or precedence in other areas, but this usage is less common.

Academic

1. Elder, eldest (child)
   • Ông ta có hai con, đứa đầu lòng là con gái
     He has got two children, the elder of whom is a girl
   • Gia đình có ba con trai, đứa đầu lòng lên mười
     There are three boys in that family, the eldest of whom is ten